As we reach the midpoint of Term 2, it’s terrific to see all the exciting happenings across the College.

School Performance

This Thursday and Friday (21/05 and 22/05) our Performing Arts students are involved in our school production, Seasons in the Sky. I was fortunate to attend the Thursday evening performance and was incredibly impressed by the creativity, design, and the way all the elements came together to create such a terrific spectacle. Well done to all involved.

Sport

There have also been many sporting activities taking place, and we have a number of students excelling in their chosen fields, with many regularly competing in state leagues and other high-level competitions. We are very proud of your efforts and achievements.

Debating

Our College debating teams have also been competing regularly and have enjoyed considerable success throughout the term. Congratulations to all student debaters and thank you to Ms Abuacan for her ongoing support and dedication to our debating program. This week, several students also had the opportunity to attend Parliament House and participate in debates within the Legislative Assembly.

Year 9, 10, 11 Exams

Year 9, 10 and 11 students will soon commence their mid-year exams. These exams provide an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning, revise key concepts, and consolidate their understanding from across the semester. They also offer valuable experience in exam-style conditions as students prepare for their senior years of schooling.

Parent support is important in helping maximise the impact of study. Please provide a suitable study environment at home that is free from distractions, with devices kept in another room and minimal background noise. Listening to music is generally not considered an effective study strategy, unless it is very soft baroque music, which may help regulate heart rate and improve concentration.

Year 10 Work Experience

Following the exam period, our Year 10 students will undertake two weeks of work experience. We wish them the very best with this valuable real-world opportunity. Each year, many students return from work experience with a greater sense of direction and appreciation for potential career pathways. Thank you to our Careers team, along with parents, guardians and students, for the time and effort invested in organising such wonderful placements.

Homework Club – Wednesdays

In the lead up to exams and a busy assessment period, a reminder that support is available to all students through our weekly Homework Club, held every Wednesday.

Facilities

As part of our ongoing focus on improving school facilities, School Council has approved a number of projects that will commence over the next few months, including:

• Library Upgrade – installation of a new glass partition to create dedicated classroom and quiet study spaces for senior students, particularly during the end-of-year exam period when VCE centres are used to host exams.
• Ceramics Room Upgrades – additional sinks, power points and shelving to support the more effective use of the space as a creative arts classroom.
• New School Bus – the College is currently investigating the purchase of an upgraded school bus.
• Yarning Circle – a supplier has been commissioned to design and construct a yarning circle in the quadrangle at the west end of D Wing, just outside C1.
• Basketball Court Improvements – new basketball backboards have recently been installed on the outdoor courts.
• Technology Upgrades – several data projectors across the College are being upgraded.
• New Furniture – new tables and chairs will be installed in the Year 12 VCE study room.

School Council

At the most recent School Council meeting, the 2025 Annual Report was formally ratified. School Council also approved the introduction of a new Year 8 Camp to Anglesea later this year, along with a STEM Gliding Excursion. This exciting opportunity will allow a select group of students to experience flight in a two-person glider.

Staffing

Staffing challenges continue to persist across the education system, particularly in highly specialised teaching areas, and we have experienced several staffing changes throughout this term. As we approach Term 3, we look forward to welcoming back a number of staff returning from maternity leave, which will help alleviate some of the staffing pressures experienced during the first half of the year.

Planning and Assessment Day

Please note that Friday 5^th June is a student-free day.

Interim Reports

Due to industrial action earlier this term, Interim Reports will not be published. However, students are encouraged to continue seeking regular feedback from their teachers. Assessment grades for Key Learning Tasks will continue to be published on Compass throughout the semester and remain accessible to families at all times.

Semester reports will be completed without teacher comments for this semester. We encourage parents and carers to regularly monitor Compass to stay informed of student progress and assessment outcomes.

Arthur Soumalias

PRINCIPAL

School Policies have been updated in line with Department of Education and Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority requirements. Parents may review these on the school website https://www.rosehillsc.vic.edu... Minimum Standards Compliance – June 2022.

On Tuesday 5th May, Chloe, Chantelle, and I had the incredible opportunity to listen to and speak with Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first qualified female Australian astronaut.

Hearing her personal story and perspective was truly inspiring. She shared the challenges she faced while pursuing a career in the male-dominated STEM field, including moments when she felt lonely, hopeless, and uncertain even after going through extensive training, her chance of going into space was still uncertain.

Despite those difficulties, she continued to work hard and follow her passion, which I found very admirable.

I am extremely grateful to have had the chance to learn from her experiences and advice.

She also spoke about the difficulties and challenges that scientists and astronauts face when trying to recreate a zero-gravity environment, and how these experiences affected both her own training and the training of others.

Listening to her journey motivated me to believe in myself more and inspired me to confidently pursue my own interests in STEM, regardless of the challenges or stereotypes that may exist.

Suri Ngo

10A STUDENT

On Wednesday 13^th May the Year 12 Legal Studies class went on an excursion to The Supreme Court of Victoria.

Students had the opportunity to meet the Honourable Justice Andrea Tsalamandris and listen to a current murder trial regarding Mr. Frankland.

Student found the excursion to be very eye opening, seeing how meticulous the justice system is, especially when an accused is on trial for murder.

This was a great excursion to close out Unit 3.

The class began their week with a period outside in the portable area while Melbourne is still shinning.

Zhanet Zyka

VCE LEGAL STUDIES & HUMANITIES TEACHER

What a rollercoaster season it has been for our unstoppable Year 8 Debate Team!

From thrilling victories to invaluable learning moments, our squad, Lucy Kanaris (8E), Monisha Ganguly (8E), Matilda Simmonds (8C), and Ava Yassine (8E) have been lighting up the floor at Melbourne Grammar School and proving they are a force to be reckoned with.

Here is a look at how our master wordsmiths have fared across the first two rounds of the season.

Our debaters kicked off their inter-school debut on Tuesday 5th May with a spectacular showing of wit and wisdom against Xavier College. Stepping up to the microphone for the first time can be terrifying, but our squad dominated the floor with eloquent arguments and sharp rebuttals.

The team took home a roaring victory, and a special round of applause went to Monisha Ganguly, whose ability to dismantle opposing arguments earned her the prestigious title of Best Speaker!

On Tuesday 19th May the team stepped back into the arena for a highly anticipated Round 2 clash against Loreto Mandeville Hall. It was an absolute nail-biter of a match, with both sides trading brilliant points. Ultimately, Rosehill narrowly missed out on the win by a heartbreakingly close 2 points!

While a loss is always tough, true champions look for the silver lining, and our team found a golden one. The adjudicator provided some fantastic, constructive feedback that has given our debaters their next major upgrade. We learned that to push our arguments to the next level, we need to focus on:

• Deepening the context: Clearly explaining and emphasising the core issue at hand right from the start.

• The "Why It Matters" factor: Better persuading the audience on exactly why this issue needs urgent addressing.

Every great debater knows that feedback is the secret ingredient to a masterpiece, and our squad is already taking these notes on board with a smile.

Before we look ahead, a massive shout out goes to Mr Rose and the Rosehill student leadership teams! Thank you so much for your awesome support in providing the squad with their official new Debate Club pins. The Debate Teams are wearing them with serious pride!

One win, one incredibly close learning experience, and everything to play for! The team is already back in "prep mode," sharpening their logic, polishing their delivery, and implementing their new strategies for the final showdown.

• Date: Tuesday 2nd June

• The Opponent: Doveton College

• The Goal: Put our new skills into action and finish the season on a high!

A massive thank you to the parents, guardians, and staff who continue to pack the sidelines and cheer our team on. Your support makes all the difference. We are incredibly proud of our Year 8 stars and cannot wait to see them command the microphone in the final round!

Go Rosehill!

Abigail Abuacan

DEBATING COORDINATOR

This semester, the Year 9 Business, Economics, and Legal Studies cohort traded their textbooks for ballot papers to tackle one of the toughest hurdles in Australian law: Section 128 of the Constitution. To truly understand how our nation’s founding document can be changed, the class staged a full-scale Mock Referendum.

The proposed amendment was a total game-changer for school life:

"To alter the Constitution to replace the mandatory formal school uniform policy with a requirement for all public school students to wear the official Physical Education (PE) uniform every day."

The Democratic Process

To simulate a real federal election, the classroom was divided into four "states" based on house teams: Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, and Sapphire.

Before they could cast their vote, students had to navigate the official AEC-style protocols. Polling officials grilled each voter with the essential three questions:

1. What is your name?
2. Where do you live?
3. Have you already voted in this referendum today?

Once cleared on the electoral roll, students headed to the secret voting booths to have their say on the future of school fashion.

The Verdict

Passing a referendum in Australia is famously difficult because it requires a double majority: a 'Yes' from a majority of voters nationwide and a majority of the states.

However, the "Comfort Revolution" proved to be an unstoppable force. The results were:

• 'Yes' Vote: 85%

• 'No' Vote: 15%

• Informal Votes: 0%

With a clear national majority and all four states returning a "Yes" vote, the double majority was easily secured. The constitutional change was officially carried out!

Acknowledgements

A massive thank you to all the enthusiastic students who volunteered to be polling assistants, marshals, and scrutiny assistants. Your commitment to "free and fair" elections kept the process running like a well-oiled machine.

The people have spoken: it’s time to retire the blazers and embrace the PE kit!

Abigail Abuacan

BUSINESS, ESONOMICS AND LEGAL STUDIES TEACHER

Our Year 10 Business and Economics students swapped their textbooks for some real-world insights this week as they welcomed a very special guest speaker: our very own Mr. Ralston!

While we know him around the halls, Mr. Ralston joined the class in his capacity as the school’s union representative for the Australian Education Union (AEU). The session provided a fascinating "behind-the-scenes" look at how workplace rights, fair pay, and safety aren't just concepts in a syllabus; they are active, daily priorities in our school community.

Putting Theory into Practice

Armed with a detailed worksheet, students didn't just listen, they investigated. The session was broken down into key areas of discovery:

• Representation at the Frontline: Students explored Mr. Ralston’s specific role, learning how he acts as a vital bridge between staff and leadership, handling everything from contract negotiations to dispute resolution.

• Success Stories: It wasn't all theory! Mr. Ralston shared "case studies" of recent union successes, showing how collective action can turn a workplace challenge into a win for everyone involved.

• The Power of the Collective: A major takeaway was the importance of a "collective voice." Students reflected on why having a unified front is essential in large organisations like schools to ensure every worker is heard and protected.

The Hot Seat: Student Inquiry

The highlight of the session was the Student Inquiry segment. Our Year 10s didn't hold back, asking sharp questions about:

1. Is being a union representative an easy job?
2. How could young people engage in unions as they are about to engage in their work experience?
3. Why are some stop-work actions cancelled?

Mr. Ralston provided candid answers, emphasising that understanding your rights is the first step toward a successful and fair career.

Why It Matters

As these students prepare to enter the workforce through work experience and part-time roles, understanding the role of unions is more important than ever. Whether it’s ensuring a safe environment or advocating for fair wages, the lesson was clear: we are stronger together.

A huge thank you to Mr. Ralston for sharing his time, expertise, and passion for workers' rights with our future business leaders!

Abigail Abuacan

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS TEACHER

A recent presentation to our Year 12 students by Victoria Police highlighted the critical importance of safe driving, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers. Officers highlighted how overconfidence, distraction, and peer pressure often contribute to dangerous behaviour on the road.

Emphasis was placed on the “fatal five” causes of road accidents: speeding, drink and drug-driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue, and distraction, especially from mobile phones. Real-life examples and statistics were shared to demonstrate the serious consequences of poor decisions, not only for drivers but also for passengers, families, and the wider community.

The presentation encouraged students to take personal responsibility every time they get behind the wheel and to look out for their friends. Ultimately, the message was clear: safe driving is not just about following rules, but about protecting lives and making thoughtful, responsible choices every day.

We thank Victoria Police for taking the time to speak with our Year 12 cohort, as well as the Senior School Team for their support in ensuring this important topic was addressed.

Fiona Morabito

SENIOR SCHOOL LEADER

On Wednesday 20th May, Rosehill Secondary College’s very own future leaders traded their school uniforms for parliamentary prestige. Out of a massive pool of applications across the state, Rosehill was one of just 14 schools handpicked to send a delegation to the annual Secondary Schools’ Parliamentary Convention at Parliament House.

Representing our school with incredible pride, wit, and sharp intellect were our stellar Year 9 Debate team and two fantastic Year 10 leaders:

• Jem Howe (9E)

• Alexia Radimisis (9A)

• Jordan Shah (9A)

• Sam Lonergan (10A)

• Ahmed Lebdeh (10E)

• Accompanied by our wonderful Learning Support Officer, Cathy Cengia.

The high-stakes topic of the day? A question driving modern tech ethics: "Should governments regulate the use of facial recognition technology?"

Our students did not just sit in the gallery and watch; they stepped right into the shoes of Members of Parliament, experiencing the fast-paced life of a politician. Here is a look at the jam-packed program they conquered:

• Welcome to Country: A warm welcome from a Wurundjeri Elder Uncle John Terrick followed by an opening by the Day's Facilitator and Acting Speaker, Sandra Venneri.

• Standing Orders and Opening Statements: Students were introduced to parliamentary rules and conducted a lively pre-vote on the topic "on the voices"(‘Aye’ or ‘No’). Jem Howe took the floor to deliver the official opening statement for Rosehill Secondary College, proving to be incredibly eloquent in expressing our school’s view and setting a high standard for the rest of the day!

• Expert Testimony (Keynote Speakers):

• Professor Neil Selwyn (Monash University) broke down the societal impacts of tech.

• Emma Stephens (Assistant Commissioner, Policy at OVIC) provided deep insights into privacy and governance.

• The Legislative Assembly Soapbox: The absolute highlight of the day! In the historic Legislative Assembly Chamber, students had just a minute to make unique points or rebut opposing arguments. Almost all of our Rosehill students boldly took up the mic to voice their stances, command the floor, and show off their elite debating skills!

• The Third Reading and Final Vote: Democracy in action! A formal division was called, with students standing in their places to be counted for the final vote on the bill.

Our delegation returned to school, inspired and full of praise for the unique experience. Here is what they had to say:

• Cathy Cengia (LSO): "I thought it was wonderful. I am so proud of the students and it was very interesting to hear about the different arguments and their perspectives."

• Jem Howe (9E): "I think it was great! I loved the soapbox session. It was my favourite because we heard dissenting opinions. It was a quick-fire way for people to make unique points."

• Alexia Radimisis (9A): "I thought it was really interesting. I got to learn more about how a bill gets taken to parliament and explained. It was a unique experience to be in parliament."

• Jordan Shah (9A): "As soon as we got to the discussions, it was really fun!"

• Sam Lonergan (10A): "I thought it was pretty good. I think more time for group work should be given. If you spend more time learning about it and then doing it, it would make more sense."

• Ahmed Lebdeh (10E): "I thought it was very good and I really liked it. It was very informative."

A massive congratulations to Jem, Alexia, Jordan, Sam, and Ahmed for representing Rosehill Secondary College so brilliantly on the state stage. Special thanks to Cathy Cengia for supporting our students. Keep an eye out for these names on a future election ballot! 🗳️👏

Abigail Abuacan

BUSINESS, COMMERCE AND HUMANITIES TEACHER

Each year, the Year 12 VM students commit to a term of volunteering within the local community. This year, students have contributed their time and effort to a range of organisations, including St Vincent de Paul Society, Australian Red Cross, Jump! Swim Schools, The Helping Hands Mission, and various primary schools.

Following is a reflection from Montana:

My volunteering experience this term has been enjoyable, and I have genuinely felt better after helping at Jump Swim Schools. Every Friday when I arrive, I have a quick discussion with my supervisor about the expectations and tasks for the day. I then head to the pool deck to clean up the toys and equipment used by the previous classes. In addition, I mop up any leftover pool water to help maintain a safe environment for other patrons and prevent potential hazards. Overall, my experience has been positive and worthwhile.

Vicki Handris

VM KLA LEADER AND HUMANITIES TEACHER